Steve Carson's "Outdoors": Memorial Day trout fishing opportunities

There will be plenty of chances to catch trout over the holiday weekend, according to Larry Main at Fins, Fur and Feathers in Paradise.

"Paradise Lake has been good all year," observed Main. "There are plenty of stocker-size fish, but if you go after them, there are some nice 2- to 5-pounders. Best bet is PowerBait and worms, and the larger trout have been hitting on Kastmasters and slow-trolled PowerBait. DeSabla Reservoir has been about the same, but mostly all 12-inchers. Philbrook Lake is full of small fish hitting on the same things."

Main continued, "Butte Meadows has been very good, and lots of stocker-size trout are being caught in Deer Creek above the waterfall. We are also hearing that some trout are being caught on flies in the West Branch."

Chico and Oroville kid's free fishing days

Both Chico and Oroville have outstanding free kids fishing events coming up next week. Chico's "Hooked on Fishing, not on Drugs" kid's day will be take place from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 31 at Horseshoe Lake in upper Bidwell Park. Some 8,000 pounds of catfish (about 6,000 individual fish) will be planted in the lake just prior to the event. There will be free fish cleaning courtesy of the Chico Rotary Clubs, along with free bait and free loaner rods. Call 891-4757 for more information.

Oroville's "Hooked on Fishing" event for kids 12 and under will also take place on May 31, and will be held from 7 a.m. to noon at Bedrock Park. A total of 2,500 pounds of catfish and steelhead will be planted in the lagoon, and there will be drawings for free prizes. A free pancake breakfast will be served to the kids, with free bait and free loaner tackle available.

Chico State Bass Team

The Chico State bass team did very well last weekend at the regional qualifying tournament for the Carhartt Bassmaster College Bass Series, held at Clear Lake. A top-10 finish in this competition was required to go to the national championship, and Chico State will send two pairs of anglers to "the big dance," which will be held July 31-Aug. 2 at Lake Chatuge in Georgia.

A team from New Mexico State University took home top honors with 47 pounds, 5 ounces total over two days, but Chico State had a very respectable showing in the 30-team event. Final results for Chico State, fourth place, Andrew Loberg, Michael Braswell, 41-5; eighth place, Alex Klein, Jeff Karnthong, 39-1; 21st place, Kevin Chan, Koulton Westbrook, 21-11; 29th place, Michael Woods, Chas Brannon, 13-2.

Chico State team member and national championship qualifier Alex Klein said, "We are also looking for any available financial assistance to help defray the travel expenses of having four people going to the competition in Georgia."

Other western schools that qualified for the national championship included San Jose State, CSU Monterey Bay, Oregon State and the University of Oregon.

Paradise Bass Club

The Paradise Bass Club held its monthly tournament last week at Lake Oroville. Lots of fish were caught, but not many large ones. Competitors reported catching most of their fish on plastics, tubes and spinnerbaits.

Final results: Phil Cushman, Cher Vang, 10.25 pounds total; Ken Pisjek, Kenny Pisjek, 10.15 pounds; Bobby Larson, Luke Bellefeuille, 8.70 pounds; Big Fish — Larson (2.65 pounds). Next month's tournament will be held at Lake Almanor on June 7, and the next club meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on June 4 at Cozy Diner in Paradise. The club welcomes new members.